When Is Daylight Savings 2012? Most Canadians Get An Extra Hour

Daylight saving mode may be welcome news to most Canadians, but experts warn the extra hour of sunlight means some long nights ahead for the country's insomniacs (Alamy)

TORONTO - The end of daylight saving time may be welcome news to most Canadians looking for some extra shut eye, but experts warn that turning back the clocks could herald some long nights ahead for the country's insomniacs.

Most Canadians will enjoy an extra hour of rest on Sunday when they allow their clocks to fall back one hour as the shift is made to standard time.

Experts warn, however, that what feels like a gain to most can usher in a time of prolonged pain for those who struggle to get enough sleep.

Colleen Carney, director of the sleep and depression lab at Ryerson University, said insomnia sufferers may find their already problematic sleep patterns are crippled even further by having an extra hour in which to toss and turn.

"When you spend more time in bed, it's like telling your body, 'oh, you don't need more sleep, you need less sleep because you're less active," Carney said in a telephone interview. "People with insomnia will be excited by it, but the reality is that they get absolutely no benefit from this at all."

A night of extra sleeplessness is exactly what the average insomniac doesn't need at a time of year that's already rife with pitfalls, Carney said.

The earlier sunsets that accompany the shift to standard time can have a powerful effect on even those who enjoy eight hours of sleep each day, she said, adding longer periods in darkness are well-documented downers for large swaths of the population.

Those who are prone to insomnia, she argued, are even more susceptible to the low moods and other seasonal disorders that surface during the winter months. Those disorders can exacerbate their inability to sleep, touching off a frustrating cycle, she added.

Carney suggests insomniacs take a slightly different approach to the shift to standard time than their less sleep-deprived peers, only moving their clocks back after waking up at their regular time on Sunday morning rather than adjusting their Saturday bedtime.

"There'll be a little bit of sleep drive built up, and they won't get that extra hour in bed," she said. "They actually will be a little bit more primed for sleep."

For the rest of Canadians, however, Carney said the return to standard time is a bonus. Those who don't struggle with sleepless nights should revel in the rare opportunity to gain an extra hour of slumber, she said, adding research suggests most people could use it.

While Statistics Canada released data last year suggesting Canadians 15 and older got an average of eight hours and 18 minutes of sleep per day in 2010, Carney said at least two thirds of Canadians are falling short of their ideal daily sleep targets.

University of Montreal sleep researcher Julie Carrier agreed, saying the weekend time change will give most Canadians a needed break.

While the adjustment may not come easily, Carrier said the average body will respond naturally and positively to the chance for extra rest.

"The natural tendency of your biological clock is to go a little bit later every day, so it's way more easy to go to bed a little bit later and wake up later also," she said.

Clocks fall back at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday except in most of Saskatchewan as well as parts of Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version incorrectly suggested this weekend would bring a shift to daylight saving time.

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6 Ways To Stay Energized During Daylight Savings Time

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If you're suddenly feeling down this winter, it could be the result of your body's lack of vitamin D. A study at the University of Newcastle in Australia tested the effects of vitamin D supplements on a group of people in late winter. Turns out, people who received vitamin D had a dramatic improvement in their moods. “The two best ways to get the vitamin D you need are to get adequate sun exposure (15 to 30 minutes per day) or to take vitamin D supplements,” says Dr. John Cuomo of USANA Health Sciences.

The American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of exercise a day and at least three times a week to boost energy levels in the winter.

Some studies have shown that zinc could be a natural option to fight off winter colds. One study from the American Society for Microbiology, found that zinc was able to shorten the average length of the common cold by about 7 days and increase the body's energy levels.

Take a time out — without the kids. According to Dr. David Sack, psychiatrist and CEO of Promises Treatment Centre, taking a ten-minute time out from you day, whether stretching, meditating or just daydreaming, can free your mind and prevent your mind from getting fatigued during cold days.

According to the National Library of Medicine, B vitamins help our bodies make energy from the food we eat. Although most B12 vitamins are found in animals and fish sources, you can also try soy products like soybean or tofu.

According to Cheryl MacDonald of the Health Psychology of San Diego, eating organic carbohydrates will increase cardiac energy in our bodies. Our liver, she adds, is able to process these carbs quicker and help our bodies feel energetic for a longer period of time.